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Matthew Wayne DeJong
09/24/1961 — 12/18/2007
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Provo, Utah
Matthew Wayne DeJong
Matthew Wayne DeJong, 46, of Richland, passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Kadlec Medical Center. He was born Sept. 24, 1961 in Provo, Utah, to Cheryl Wagner and Norman DeJong.
He graduated from Hanford High in 1979, and attended Eastern Oregon State College and Columbia Basin College studying in the machinist program. He has worked in the past in the hotel and restaurant business as a chef and in management. During the past seven years he was a live-in caregiver for his grand-parents in Richland.
Matthew was a loving, sweet and kind son and brother who loved and cared for his grandparents. He loved caring for others and placed that above his own needs, including a life long history of adopting and caring for animals. He had a spiritual soul and a genuine heart. His sense of humor always brought laughter to his family and friends.
Matthew enjoyed white water rafting, fishing, photography, traveling and music. He was an avid reader and history buff, and a collector of many things.
He is survived by his parents, his sister Kendyl DeJong, his Grandmothers Lori Kernander and Ann DeJong, and extended family who will miss him deeply.
Family may be contacted at: Kendyl DeJong, P.O. Box 518, Lyons, OR 97358.
I AM MATT’S BEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD FOR A 11YRS.WELL WERE SHOULD I START THIS IS A SHOCK TO ALL OF US.I’M STILL WAITING FOR HIS CALL OR FOR HIM TO COME OVER HE WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 2 DAYS WITH OUT HEARING FROM MEOR ME HEARING FROM HIM.SO I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IM STILL IN SHOCK OR SOMTHING.GOD I LOVED YOU MATT YOU WERE MY BEST FREIND AND BROTHER,WE WILL MISS YOU DEEPLY I GUESS I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULD BE AT MY HOUSE ONE DAY AND GONE FOR GOOD THE NEXT.THERE IS 11 YRS.OF MEMMORIES AND EMOTION WE SHARED TOGETHER MATT HAD LEFT THIS SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT.HAPPINESS IS NOT A STATION YOU ARRIVE AT BUT A MANNER OF TRAVELING
I will miss my sweet nephew, Matthew. My relationship as his auntie had developed into a friendship in his adult life and I will deeply miss his uncomparable humor and ability to bring a smile to my face even in the darkest hours of my life. Matthew, there is a special place in my heart for you..always has been and always will be.
To the DeJong Family- I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Matt and I shared many good times together when we were younger. High school graduation, cruising in the Caddie and I remember several trips down to Prarie City for Thanksgiving and the wonderful hospitality extended to me by the entire family. I will always remember Matt as a kind, funny and caring person. My heart is heavy with the loss of an old friend. May the entire family be blessed in your time of loss and sorrow. Take care, Jeff Marzyck
Dear Cheryl,
I can’t imagine your pain, but hope you can find comfort in prayers of those who love you. Life will never be the same without Matt, but in time you can find joy in your memories of him.
Much love, Mary Lou
You were the first son, first grandson, first nephew, first cousin, and always the first with a helping hand and warm smile. We will miss you Matt. Love, Aunt Ellen and Uncle Skip
Mattybumps,
My heart is broken. I will miss you and love you always.
mom
The fun memories I shared with Matt is when he lived in an apartment on Fowler St. Friends would meet there after work. Everyone would bring different varieties of “Trail Mix”. Matt called it “Gravel”. He would joke about entertaining on the “veranda”, which was located off his slider. The length of the veranda was aproximately 3″ from the door. You couldn’t even walk out and shut the door behind you. I think a lot of friends will remember and smile about this Mike, Jerry, Marty, Lisa. RIP, Matt!! Love to your entire family….Pam Wilson
Matthew was my dear little nephew and seemed more like a little brother to me because of our history together. Matthew & I were travel companions in Europe when he was 7 and after that I shared his bunk bed in Boston. I think we flipped a coin to see who had to sleep on the top bunk. He could tell me for sure because Matthew remembered everything. We had so many amazing experiences while we both were growing up. He had a brilliant mind and a love for history. I always marvelled at his ability to rattle off dates and facts about anything that happened in the past.
Matthew and I had nicknames for eachother, which we still used whenever we saw eachother. The nick names seemed silly as we became adults, but Matthew loved to create laughter and we laughed everytime we said them.
More recently we went for bike rides with his Aunt Myra along the Columbia River and just hung out.
I will miss my dear Madathadath. Love to you always, Gadath
I haven’t seen Matt since I was very little but I always remember he had the most beautiful dogs. I have a memory of standing in front of a house playing fetch and laughing with Uncle Matt. I think later that night we ate crab : I hate losing family I haven’t had the pleasure of being around or getting to know now that I’m older. But I remember his laugh and his smile and that can never be forgotten :
Norm, Cheryl, Ann and family – I did not know Matthew, but I have many wonderful memories of the DeJong family as neighbors and friends and I am so sorry for your loss. It hard enough to lose parents but we aren’t suppose to lose our chilren or grandchildren. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so sorry to hear this news. Matt and I were friends and tennis partners prior to me going off to school. We share the same birthday. We enjoyed many spirited matches of tennis together and I will never forget his green caddy. He was a great person! My condolences to his entire family.
I will love you for ever. I know you have gone to prepare for the rest of us. Will see you later. gram
To Matts entire family,
I have just heard the news of Matts passing. I am shocked and saddened. I am sorry for your loss and I pray for you all. I regret not knowing Matt better. I met him once about 30 years ago, when they all lived in Jackson, MS. I have fond memories of that trip. Although I am a distant cousin, they all treated me like close family. I consider myself lucky to have had that time with Matt and his family and will never forget it. Rest In Peace Matt!
It was with great sorrow I have learned of Matt’s passing. He was a wonderful man , kind, loving, giving and full of life.
He had the most beautiful eyes, biggest smile and easiest laugh.
Thru many years together he leaves behind many wonderful memories.
Memories of the Caddy & Mcdougall’s. of Prairie city & John Day, of Ferdinand’s and the Apricot Tree, of rafting Hell’s canyon, elk camp, snow skiing, and walks on the beach.
He loved his family and grandparents deeply and adored his little sister.
My thought s and prayers are with you all.
Matt you will be forever missed.. love JJ
JJ -Jeri Adams
Shiona & chelsea
I came across the news of Matt’s passing unexpectadly and was truly saddened by it. I went to school with him and generally hung out with him for a while about thirty years ago when he lived in Jackson out by the reservoir. I had not seen or talked to him since then but I remember him as being a hilarious guy that was great fun to hang around with. God bless you Matt, and your family.
Still think about you everyday matt
Guestbook for
Matthew Wayne DeJong